RHINELANDER - Monday volleyball and cross country teams had their first practice. Every team has dreams of a state championship.Some teams have coaching changes.The Hodags just hired their interim volleyball coach 3 days before their first practice.Paul Mildebrandt is the Hodag's interim coach. He was hired on Friday.He's taking over for Kathy Wawrzynowicz. She is taking a leave of absence for a medical issue within the family.

Paul was an assistant for Kathy for one year - that was in 2002. His teaching position from Zion Lutheran School interfered with his duties at the time.Paul has been a varsity volleyball referee for 10 years.The Hodags won the Great Northern Conference for the first time last season. The returning players look to continue last year's success without Kathy."The word I'm stressing to the girls is 'program'," Mildebrandt said. "I want to make a smooth a transition for not only the girls, but for Kathy when she comes back next year."Hodags will open the year next week at the Wisconsin Dells Invitational.

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